Compositions and methods for dental mineralization

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions for mineralizing a dental surface, in particular tooth enamel. Methods of mineralizing hypomineralized lesions (including subsurface lesions) in the tooth enamel caused by dental caries, dental corrosion and fluorosis are also provided. In particular, the invention relates to a method of mineralizing a dental surface or subsurface comprising contacting the dental surface or subsurface with a compound that is capable of increasing or maintaining the pH of a solution and a mineralizing agent.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of mineralizing a dental surface or subsurface in a patient in need thereof, comprising
 (i) contacting the dental surface or subsurface with a first composition comprising a mineralizing agent selected from one or more of stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and stabilized amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (ACFP), and 
 (ii) subsequently to (i) and within 1 to 60 minutes of (i), contacting the dental surface or subsurface for a period of about 1 to 60 minutes with a second composition comprising one or more compounds selected from sodium bicarbonate, sodium hypochlorite, a hypofluorite, and urea, thereby mineralizing a dental surface or subsurface. 
 
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the dental surface is a lesion in enamel, caused by caries, dental erosion or fluorosis. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and/or stabilized amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (ACFP) is in the form of a toothpaste, toothpowder, liquid dentifrice, mouthwash, mouthrinse, mouth spray, varnish, dental cement, troche, chewing gum, lozenge, dental paste, gingival massage cream, gargle tablet, dairy product and other foodstuffs. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the second composition is capable of maintaining the pH of a solution between 7 to 9. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the second composition is capable of maintaining the pH of a solution at about 7.5. 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the second composition is provided in an amount effective to raise the pH of intra-lesion fluid of a dental lesion from 6 to 7.5. 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the second composition comprises one or more compounds selected from sodium bicarbonate, sodium hypochlorite and urea. 
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the second composition is in the form of a mouth rinse or mouthwash comprising sodium bicarbonate. 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the contacting of (ii) is effected 1 to 30 minutes after the contacting of (i). 
     
     
       10. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the contacting of (ii) is effected 1 to 5 minutes after the contacting of (i).